Consumer confidence is on the rebound
NEW YORK -- Two key barometers of economic activity moved higher Tuesday, raising hopes that the economy may be headed toward a recovery. Consumer confidence rebounded in October, and orders for expensive goods, like appliances, rose 0.8 percent in September.

Bank of America to buy FleetBoston Financial Corp.
BOSTON -- In a bold and pricey bid to live up to its name, Bank of America Corp. said Monday it would buy FleetBoston Financial Corp. in a deal initially valued at $47 billion to create a banking giant stretching from California through the South to New England.

FCTI collecting for UNICEF
Halloween is not just for trick-or-treating. That's what students from First Coast Technical Institute are demonstrating this year. Along with their "goodies" they are conducting various fund raising events to support UNICEF.

News Notes
Read about news, meetings and upcoming events in St. Augustine.

Band festival Saturday at SAHS
St. Augustine High School Marching Yellow Jacket Band presents the Ancient City Presentation of Bands Saturday at the SAHS field.

Neighbors: News, notes from the Beaches ...
Looking for some good books? Try the new Goodwill Industries GoodBooks store here on the island. The store, located in the Publix Plaza at 1019 Beach Blvd., is the first GoodBooks store in northeast Florida and only the second in the state. The books are used, in good condition and include current best sellers, cookbooks, history, biographies and plenty of children's books.

Pick your favorite event for Halloween
Ghosts and goblins will be out in full force for Halloween, and the merrymakers have their choice of locations to celebrate this spookiest of holidays.

Column of the Day: Bridge Results
It's not too late to for bridge players to sign up to play in the St. Augustine Duplicate Bridge Club's "Fifth Thursday" Club Appreciation Swiss Team game.

People: 'The Andy Griffith Show' immortalized
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- About 3,000 fans of "The Andy Griffith Show" are expected to crowd a grassy plaza in downtown Raleigh this morning for the introduction of a bronze statue dedicated to the popular 1960s show.

Keeping You in Stitches®:
Probably the earliest surviving American quilt is the Saltonstall Quilt believed to have been made about 1704. But if you are making a quilt in the year 2003, here are more hints.

Dr. Donohue: Many fainting spells can go untreated
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 72-year-old man in good health. Upon returning from an hour of cycling on a very hot day, I felt lightheaded and fainted. I was diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope. My doctor put me on atenolol and Lexapro. These medicines leave me very tired. Do I need to remain on them indefinitely? -- D.S.

FDA cautions antidepressants use for kids
WASHINGTON -- Concerned about studies that showed anti-depressant drugs may be leading some adolescents and children to suicidal activity, the Food and Drug Administration on Monday issued a public health advisory telling doctors to be especially careful in prescribing them.

October 29, 2003
The following real estate transactions were recorded at the St . Johns County Courthouse recently. The list is complied by Eqouifax, and amounts of sales are based on documentary tax stamps.

Outburst from sun headed for Earth
One of the strongest geomagnetic storms in years will hit Earth at midday today with potentially disruptive effects on spacecraft, satellite communications, electrical power grids and pipelines, according to space weather forecasters and solar scientists.

Congress urges NASA to postpone space plane
WASHINGTON -- Citing policy and budget concerns, key members of Congress have called on NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe to postpone further work on the next U.S. space plane designed to carry crews to and from orbit.

Wildfires continue to spread
SAN DIEGO -- The hot Santa Ana wind driving wildfires across parts of Southern California eased Monday but officials warned that there was still a threat from the flames that had devoured entire neighborhoods and killed at least 13 people.

'Hallow-Over-18': More adults donning costumes
CHICAGO -- Step into Frank's bar and you'll get a glimpse of what Halloween is becoming. The popular tavern in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood has been decked out for weeks in black and orange, and patrons can order drinks with such names as "Sex on a Tombstone."

17 killed in West Coast fires; more than 1,500 homes lost
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Crews battling some of the most destructive and deadly wildfires in California history are so exhausted they are being pulled off fire lines, even if it means more homes will be destroyed, a Forest Service fire chief said Tuesday as a pair of blazes threatened to merge.

FDA cautions antidepressants use for kids
WASHINGTON -- Concerned about studies that showed anti-depressant drugs may be leading some adolescents and children to suicidal activity, the Food and Drug Administration on Monday issued a public health advisory telling doctors to be especially careful in prescribing them.

Agencies serving seniors agree to unite
Private and government agencies that provide care for seniors have agreed to work on a plan to streamline Florida's elder care system, the secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs said Tuesday.

Baghdad bombings kill dozens
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Striking in rapid succession, suicide car bombers bent on death for "collaborators" devastated the Red Cross headquarters and three police stations Monday, killing three dozen people and wounding more than 200 in the bloodiest day in Baghdad since the start of the U.S. occupation.

St. Augustine, 'Capital for a Day' today
Drivers may see more traffic and activity near City Hall and the Plaza de la Constitucion today because Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet are in town. Today, St. Augustine is Florida's "Capital for a Day."

First drowning of year confirmed
The 23-year-old man who died Saturday afternoon at the beach was the first drowning victim in St. Johns County over the past two years, according to the medical examiner's office.

Gov. announces state plans for a WWII memorial
Jeb Bush peeked over the rims of his glasses as a rosy cheeked boy stepped forward to get a closer glimpse of the governor. The boy waved shyly, and Bush returned the offering, watching the boy turn and leave as Florida's Cabinet listened to issues from around the state.

Police Report: Argument ends with gunshots
A woman was charged with aggravated assault after two shots were fired at a door inside a home on Wisteria Road on Sunday night, according to a report from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

No contest to manslaughter
A man accused of killing a trucker at a St. Johns County truck stop pleaded no contest to a manslaughter charge Monday during his retrial. Joseph Fletcher, 37, of South Florida, was charged with the shooting death of Robert Bakley Jr. in 1999.

A Capital Day
Residents milled amid rows of displays, shaking hands and making friends Tuesday while St. Augustine was "Capital for a Day." A good-humored buzz filled the Plaza de la Constitucion as the community mingled with officials and agency representatives for a few hours.

Governor gets to see education technology in action
Gov. Jeb Bush made an extra stop Tuesday during his visit to St. Augustine. As part of his Capital for a Day event, Bush went to Osceola Elementary School to observe technology demonstrations and read to students.

Constance T. Gill
Constance T. Gill, 79, died Oct. 23, 2003, at Shands Jacksonville. She was a native of Houston, Texas, and a past resident of St. Augustine. Connie truly celebrated her life for 79 years.

Joseph Michael Neri
Joseph Michael Neri Jr., 60, passed away Oct. 23, 2003, at Flagler Hospital. He was a native of Torrington, Conn., where he attended local schools. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he received computer training. Joe owned and operated Smokey Joe's Comic Club and Collectibles in Torrington. He has resided in St. Augustine since 1999, working for Watson Realty and Davidson Realty at the World Golf Village.

James Winfield Albrecht
James Winfield Albrecht, 53, of Las Vegas, died Oct. 16, 2003, at County Health Teaching Clinic in Nevada. He was born Dec. 8, 1949 in St. Augustine and had lived in Las Vegas for the past 33 years. He was a 1966 graduate of St. Augustine High School and a member of the band. He attended Florida State University in 1969 and was the originator of the card game show, "The World Series of Poker."

Robert L. Cram
Robert L. Cram, 75, of St. Augustine, died Oct. 25, 2003, at his son's residence in Hamilton, Ga. He was born in Springfield, Mass., and had resided in St. Augustine since 1987, moving here from Enfield, Conn. He worked as an engineer for Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Conn., retiring after 31 years. He was formerly active with the St. Augustine Shores Men's Golf Association.

Lillian Leone Zimmers
Lillian Leone Zimmers, 92, St. Augustine, died Oct. 26, 2003, at her home. She was born in Skiddy, Kan., and had resided in St. Augustine for the past 10 months, moving here from Boynton Beach. She was a member of the Vashon Island Presbyterian Church in Washington state and she had previously served as their organist.

Mary Teresa Karpinski Mudry
Mary Teresa (Karpinski) Mudry, 91, of Asheville, N.C., died Oct. 19, 2003. A native of Poland, at age 11 she came to Ellis Island, N.Y., with her parents, two sisters and a brother, all deceased. In 1931, she married Joseph Mudry in Staten Island, N.Y., now deceased.

Mary Teresa (Karpinski) Mudry
Mary Teresa (Karpinski) Mudry, 91, of Asheville, N.C., died Oct. 19, 2003. At the age of 11, she came to Ellis Island, N.Y., with her parents and two sisters and a brother, who are all deceased. In 1931, she married Joseph Mudry of Staten Island, N.Y., deceased.

Letter: Save the tortoise
Editor: The decline of the gopher tortoise and the loss of habitat has become a conservation crisis in Florida. The state of Florida lists gopher tortoises a species of "special concern."

Editorial: Nation's Oldest City capital for the day
St. Augustine was Florida's "Capital for a Day" for most of Tuesday. Gov. Jeb Bush and Cabinet members -- Attorney General Charlie Crist, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson -- conducted the state's business in St. Augustine for the first time in 180 years.

Bartram boys second at district golf match
Bartram Trail finished in a familiar spot in the District 2-2A golf tournament Tuesday. Second. The Bears advanced to next week's regionals, taking second place behind Bishop Kenny in the district tournament at the Golf Course of Jacksonville.

Blues shut down the Predators, 1-0
ST. LOUIS -- Brent Johnson made 26 saves for his first shutout since last December, and Scott Mellanby scored in his season debut as the St. Louis Blues beat the Nashville Predators 1-0 Tuesday night.

Flyers top Canadians
PHILADELPHIA -- John LeClair had a goal and an assist in his first game of the season, and Robert Esche earned his sixth career shutout, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night.

Vijay means victory -- but only on the golf course
Vijay Singh has never had a better year on the golf course. Or a tougher time off it. No one should be surprised that the 40-year-old Fijian has four victories, more than $6.8 million and is on the verge of dethroning Tiger Woods atop the PGA Tour money list.

Gators start feeling the pressure
GAINESVILLE -- Want to get Florida coach Ron Zook's dander up? Ask about the pressure on his Gators to win Saturday's game against fourth-ranked Georgia in Jacksonville. Better yet, ask a followup on the potential vote by SEC athletic directors to determine the East champion should Florida, Georgia and Tennessee finish with identical conference marks.

Little won't be back with Red Sox
BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Grady Little will not be back next year, paying the price for his decision to stick with Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the AL championship series.

Sixers' Ayers wins battle of new coaches
PHILADELPHIA -- Allen Iverson had 26 points and 11 assists, and Kenny Thomas added 15 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Miami Heat 89-74 Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.

Red Sox, Cubs just need some space
CHICAGO -- There's no getting away from it now. The dual implosions of the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox at the end of their league championship series will do nothing but perpetuate the myths surrounding their allegedly cursed franchises.

Fans get a freebie, watch Miami pound San Diego
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- With their home stadium being used as an evacuation center and the nearby hills in flames, the San Diego Chargers moved their long-awaited Monday night game 365 miles to the east -- and fell flat.

Gordon gets second straight victory
HAMPTON, Ga. -- Jeff Gordon is back to his old winning ways, holding off a challenge from Tony Stewart on Monday at Atlanta Motor Speedway to earn his second straight victory.

Chiefs looking Super
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- So far, so good? More like so far, perfect. The Kansas City Chiefs head into their bye week with the NFL's first 8-0 record in five years -- and the first in franchise history -- after their 38-5 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.

Florida State moves up to third in BCS standings
Florida State moved to the top of the one-loss crowd. The Seminoles were third in the Bowl Championship Series standings released Monday, trailing only undefeated Oklahoma and Miami in the race to play for the national championship.

Bryant has neck surgery, lost for season
ATLANTA -- For the seventh time this season, No. 4 Georgia has lost a starter or top backup to a season-ending injury, and for the second time, the injury has taken a starting senior from the Bulldogs' secondary.

Bartram, Nease land golf titles
Bartram Trail had always fared well in the district golf tournament. Thanks to the loaded Nease teams of the past, it just never had a title to call its own. Now, the Bears do.

Jax high school student arrested with knives
JACKSONVILLE (AP) -- A 15-year-old on his way to Fletcher High School was arrested Tuesday when police, acting on an anonymous tip that a student wanted to shoot someone at school, found the youth had three pocket knives in his backpack, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.

Power plant emissions damage Florida air
TALLAHASSEE -- Florida ranks among the 10 worst states in the amount of noxious chemicals spewed into the air from power plants, an environmental group said Tuesday while calling for tougher federal clean air standards.

Cruise ship operations begin Monday
JACKSONVILLE -- Cruise ships have begun sailing out of Jacksonville, marking a shift by the cruise lines to operate out of smaller, nontraditional markets.

DCF sued over 3-year-old's murder
PANAMA CITY (AP) -- The grandmother of a murdered 3-year-old boy has sued the Florida Department of Children & Families, accusing the agency of failing to do enough to protect him.

Panel chooses Disney-backed route
ORLANDO -- A proposed bullet train across central Florida will run directly to the Walt Disney World resort from Orlando International Airport, bypassing the taxpayer-funded Orange County Convention Center en route to Tampa, a state panel voted Monday.

Grand jury to begin investigation of prosecutor
JACKSONVILLE -- A grand jury in the Florida Panhandle is to begin its investigation Thursday into whether a special prosecutor knowingly used faulty scientific evidence to help convict a former medical examiner of murdering his wife.

Making room in the budget for everyone
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- Donors were generous last week in pledging billions to rebuild Iraq -- disproportionately generous compared with their donations to fight poverty and AIDS in the world's poorest countries, development and AIDS officials say.

Russian space capsule begins trip home, carrying three
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) -- A wingless space capsule carrying an American, a Russian and a Spaniard undocked from the international space station and began streaking toward Earth, Russian Mission Control said Tuesday.

Guatemala sends troops to free captured reporters
SAN PEDRO NECTA, Guatemala -- The Guatemalan government said Monday it was sending troops and negotiators to a western village where ex-paramilitary fighters seized four journalists and three other people in a demand for government compensation.